Progress Update - Daily Walk Reports
Here are some pictures of us en-route and a short daily update on how the Walk is going:
Monday 7th August - Hereford to Ledbury
Successfully completed, i.e.: no blisters for Lindy, and Helen did not fall into any potholes! We started from the Cathedral a little after 10:00am, where we were seen on our way by the Mayor & Mayoress, Councillor & Mrs. Robert Preece, and the Dean of the Cathedral the Very Reverend Michael Taverner. Also there were various family members and friends, including 3 very suspicious characters who work in Malvern! We were ably assisted by Luke, our Support Vehicle driver, who delighted in driving up behind us tooting on the horn and scaring the living daylights out of both of us! T-shirts sponsored by BDO Stoy Hayward.
Tuesday 8th August - Ledbury to Gloucester
A short morning, during which Lindy was in "Whippet Mode", which changed after lunch, as the afternoon was much longer and tiring ... but we made it!!
Helen 2, Potholes 0
Lindy 1, Blisters 1 (And it's a good 'un!)
Ably assisted once again by Luke ... and we promised not to tell anyone that he fell asleep "on the job" (responsibly in a layby, not whilst driving!). We discovered today that there IS such a thing as a free lunch, thanks to the Landlord, Eric, at the Rose & Crown. T-shirts sponsored by Bulmers (Cider makers).
Wednesday 9th August - Gloucester to Chalford
Three days in and this was a really long and tiring day, which ended with a 1.2 mile, 8% hill. Lindy's favourite part of the day! The weirdo actually LIKES hills!! Helen thinks that she is on a scavenger hunt, today she found a wrench on the side of the road, which was so much nicer than the 6 inch serrated-blade diver's knife she found yesterday ... now in the safe hands of Gloucestershire police. Today we were ably supported, in the car, by Jay, who spent the afternoon drawing a cow's udder ... don't ask ... we thought it safer not to!! A pleasant evening and night was spent at an idyllic B&B in the Cotswolds. If you want a hideaway with home-grown, home-cooked food and charming company, visit Jenny & Roger Salt at Beechcroft B&B, Brownhills. T-shirts sponsored by Helen and Lindy.
Helen 3, Potholes 0
Lindy 1, Blisters 2
Thursday 10th August - Chalford to Cricklade
A picturesque walk, through quiet leafy country lanes. Oh yeah! So who decided that it was also a good route for a veteran car rally ... it was like rush hour at Piccadilly Circus as the lane was single track. Then there was the refuse truck driven by a Michael Schumacher wannabe! This was followed closely by a tractor with back wheels wider than the lane. We spent a lot of time in the hedge!! Jay drove for us again, a great forager of food (especially iced lollies!) and not a cow's udder in sight! Today's scavenger hunt turned up one dead body ... Bambi's Mum got it again. A riotous evening was spent at the White Hart in Cricklade, the Boss joined us for supper, after which we entered the pub quiz and acquitted ourselves well. So who knew the full name of the dog from The Wooden Tops!! T-shirts sponsored by 7Safe.
Helen 4, Potholes 0
Lindy 2, Blisters 2
Friday 11th August - Cricklade to Swindon
First part of the day was spent in the leafy lanes of Wiltshire, and the latter part in the streets of Swindon. A crowd of well-wishers, family and friends, met us at our lunchtime stop - The Moonies (the locals' name for the Moonrakers pub). No real excitement today, although it seemed very strange to be sleeping in a hotel less than 3 miles from home! Thank you to the Swallow at Swindon, for your generous sponsorship. Support crew Roger and his daughter Kellie encouraged us with much banner waving, which helped loads! T-shirts sponsored by Labor Ready.
Helen 5, Potholes 0
Lindy 3, Blisters 2
Saturday 12th August - Swindon to Lambourn Woodlands
A somewhat shorter day, today, although much of it was spent going uphill!! We managed to eat lunch at a pub which was not serving food, and after one unsuccessful day, the scavenger hunt produced an ancient horseshoe, out of which all the luck had drained :( A pleasant evening was spent at the Blue Boar, Aldbourne (some might remember it being used the film set of one of the original Doctor Who series. We stayed the night in Lambourn Woodlands, in an old mullioned house overlooking the training gallops. Support was provided by Sadie (a last minute change to the rota being required), she was assisted by Kellie. T-shirts sponsored by CCL Forensics.
Helen 6, Potholes 0
Lindy 3.5, Blisters 2.5
WE HAVE PASSED THE HALF WAY POINT!!
Sunday 13th August - Lambourn to Newbury
A long, somewhat soggy morning's walk, through the leafy back roads of West Berkshire. We dried out over lunch and then took the short hop into Newbury, where we treated ourselves to a few hours of 'feet-up time'. Dinner was served in a Gurkha (Nepalese) restaurant - highly recommended. Thank you to the Swallow at Newbury for your kind sponsorship. Support driving today by Lucy and Gav. T-shirts sponsored by Helen and Lindy.
Helen 7, Potholes 0
Lindy 4.5, Blisters 2.5
Monday 14th August - Newbury to Hurstbourne Tarrant
The day started with a photoshoot for the Newbury Weekly News, during which we were joined by the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Gillian Durrant. Councillor Durrant walked the length of Northbrook Street with us. On reaching the junction with Market Street (close by the town hall) she waved us off on our way. The morning's walk was fairly easy, notwithstanding the phantom black Ford Focus which tried to use us for target practice. Fortunately the hedge was soft!! The afternoon was somewhat more taxing as the road went up and up and then down and down, like a rollercoaster. Our able support crew was Roger and daughter Kellie once again. Accommodation this evening kindly donated by Ian Hamilton and family at Esseborne Manor Hotel. T-shirts sponsored by Blackwells Independent Funeral Directors Ltd.
Helen 8, Potholes 0
Lindy 5.5, Blisters 2.5
Tuesday 15th August - Hurstbourne Tarrant to Stockbridge
After an extremely comfortable night at Esseborne Manor we made our way into Hurstbourne Tarrant proper, where we started the say by scaling what we believed might be our nemesis. The steepest hill on the route ... and we killed it! After that the rest of the day seemed quite easy. We were met at lunchtime by a friend from Shrivenham at the Southampton Arms on Winchester Road, in Andover, where Phil, the jovial landlord, treated us to lunch. We were ably assisted throughout the day by Steve E, who had driven down from London to help us out, if he ever needs a new career we would happily give him a reference as a cheerleader, and the dance of the two flags as we arrived at Stockbridge will never be forgotten. We stayed the night at the Old Fullerton Station B&B and dined at the Mayfly on the banks of the river Test. Both are highly recommended. T-shirts were sponsored by Helen and Lindy.
Helen 9, Potholes 0
Lindy 6.5, Blisters 2.5
Wednesday 16th August - Stockbridge to Romsey
Today started fairly mundanely, with a steepish hill. A short time before we reached King's Somborne, we were flagged down by a friendly Hampshire police officer, who, showing concern for our safety, asked us to "hop on board" our vehicle, when it was explained to him that to do so we would forfeit a considerable amount of sponsorship money, he encouraged us to leave that road. He directed us up a hill (!!) equally as steep as the one at the start of yesterday (!!!) and then onto the Test Way. This is a disused railway track, which wends it's way for several miles. All was well to start with ... and then the heavens opened. Having been re-routed we had consequently lost contact with both our support vehicle and our wet weather gear. We proceeded for many miles with not a clue as to where we were going, clad in shorts and t-shirts and little else. The sun came out as we stopped for lunch so with a change of clothing (having met up with the support vehicle again) we continued on into Romsey, where we spent the night at the Sun Inn on the Winchester Road. Once again we were supported by Steve E, but he decided that dancing in the rain was not for him. Wet T-shirts sponsored by Lindy and Helen. We would like to thank the officer for his concern ... and the extra 3.5 miles!!
Helen 10, Potholes 0
Lindy 7.5, Blisters 2.5
Thursday 17th August - Romsey to Lyndhurst
We set off from Romsey in the rain. Yet another hill first thing in the morning! Fortunately the rain stopped late morning and the sun shone. After the fun and games for yesterday the day was remarkably peaceful. We stopped for lunch at the St John Barleycorn at Cadnam, our earlier choice having changed landlords, we didn't feel entirely welcome there. The Barleycorn we highly recommend. We finished walking for the day at the edge of the New Forest (near to Lucy Hill). Our car crew were Steve and Maurita (M) and all costs for the day were sponsored by DataForensics. T-shirts were sponsored by Eurodrive. Tonight we will spend a very comfortable night at the Crown Inn at Lyndhurst. Grateful thanks to them for their generosity.
Helen 11, Potholes 0
Lindy 8.5, Blisters 2.5
Friday 18th August - Lyndhurst to St. Leonards
We set off, in the rain once again, into the forest. Fortunately it dried up mid morning and we had a pleasant day walking through the forest and across the heathland. We walked to Burley and then on towards Ringwood, just after which in the mid afternoon we crossed into Dorset. The afternoon was dedicated, courtesy of Lindy, to funny walks. Helen was kept entertained (the support driver just wondered what on earth was going on!!) with John Wayne, RoboCop, the Can Can (not recommended whilst trying to walk at the same time) and the walker's wiggle. The best walk was determined to be the 'Power Walker's Mince' (which Helen believes comes quite naturally to Lindy!!!).
Our driver today was Danny (F) who came in as a late substitute. He did a great job and may one day tell the story of the hand brake!!!!! Lunch was taken at the Queens Head in Burley. T Shirts were sponsored by Lindy & Helen.
Helen 12, Potholes 0
Lindy 9.5, Blisters 2.5
Saturday 19th August - St. Leonards to Poole Quay
We set off through St Leonards, Ferndown and down into Poole. A fairly uneventful day other than Lindy brought the traffic on the A31 to a stop when she rescued a rabbit. An ungrateful creature who thanked her by scratching both hands (as this is being written, Lindy is nursing a sore arm, having just had a tetanus booster). We had a great barbecue lunch with Rupert (E) and his lovely family.......if anyone wants a chicken leg or a bread roll, I am sure there are probably still some left ;o)
WELL WE MADE IT!!! We finished ten minutes early at 16:50 and we were joined by family and friends on Poole Quay. Also there was the Mayor of Poole (who is also the Admiral of the Port) Councillor Mrs Judy Butt. She presented each of us with a certificate of achievement and declared us both to be 'Barking'. There was a bit of a shindig at The Cow at Ashley Cross, a lovely bistro pub which is highly recommended. Our driving crew for the day were Haydn and Treza. T Shirts were sponsored by Jay and Mandy of JSM Modelmakers.
Helen 13, Potholes 0!!!
Lindy 10.5, Blisters 2.5
A 'Footnote' from Lindy
For the more gruesome reader. The final blister count (which includes those achieved during training) was:
Left Foot: 10 (largest of which is 3cms x 2cms and has blistered 4 times)
Right Foot: 10 (largest of which is 4cms x 3cms and has blistered 5 times).
